Wetumpka Depot Players to Host Grace Bishop Scholarship Benefit

When the Wetumpka Depot Players were in their infancy 35 years ago, the founders of the now award-winning, nationally recognized community theatre had a vision to provide entertainment and theatre education to the Wetumpka community. Among those visionaries was Grace K. Bishop. Bishop was a long time educator, artist , author and well known community leader. In memory and in honor of Bishop's contributions to the community, the Wetumpka Depot Players invest in future talent and potential leaders in the theatre industry by awarding college students majoring in theatre and other arts related university programs, scholarships through the Grace Kappes Bishop Scholarship fund.

"Grace was the Depot grande dame and biggest cheerleader," said Kristy Meanor, Depot executive director. "Her influence and legacy still lives on at the Depot. She was a unique and special person with the ability to make everyone feel welcomed and am important part of what we do at her beloved Depot. Our board of directors are thrilled to see her work carried on as scholarship recipients go on to do strong work on the university level. Two past recipients, Colgan Meanor a theatre student at University of South Alabama and Patty Holley, an music education major at Auburn University have both been recognized in their respective programs as emerging talent. Grace would be so proud to know that students who got their start through our programs, were inspired to major in the arts because she recognized the positive results that an arts education has on our communities."

A long time columnist for The Wetumpka Herald, Bishop's columns were published as a collection in her book Snippets. On Sunday, January 24th at 2pm, the Depot's Encore Players, directed by Bishop's long time friend Hazel Jones, will present a program of readings and stories from Snippets to benefit the Grace Bishop Memorial Scholarship Fund. The endearing stories are humorous and entertaining. Admission is a donation to the scholarship fund. Guests are invited to stay afterwards for light refreshments.

The theatre is located at 300 S Main Street. For more information please contact Kristy Meanor, at 334-868-1440.